My first ever WAD, criticism appreciated!

[toastermate]

NOTE!!!: the first two screenshots, and the rar called "MAP01", is the older version. The newer version is the 2 new screenshots, and the rar called "MAP01VERSION2". The text under still applies. I am keeping both versions up so that I can see my progress. (If that is allowed)

 

I don't have a name for this yet, but if I had to give it a name it'd be "Father like son", because of the final room.

 

Because this is my first map and I'm kind of just exploring the features of UDB, I tried to implement John Romero's rules as much as possible, and I hope you can see them in here. I tested this with GZDOOM, and if I remember correctly the level is made in Doom II UDMF. I played this level with the ability of freelook, jumping and crouching, but it is not necessary to survive. It is one, 4 minute, MAP01. No more, no less, no other unoriginal scary hidden levels in it (trust me if I could, I would LOL). I don't think it's that hard, the boss can be really tough but once you figure it out it's doable. Pretty tedious honestly, but I don't know how to change the HP. I digress.

 

Anyway, I hope you can have as much fun playing this level as I did making it, and that you can see the visions I had. If there are any criticisms, suggestions or things that I should do more, please let me know! I'm eager to improve my map-making.

 

-ToasterMate

MAP01.rar

 

 

~~~ UPDATED THE WAD!!! ~~~

 

ADDED:

-1 NEW SECRET

-1 NEW AREA

-REVAMPED BOSS

-3 MORE WEAPONS IMPLEMENTED

-TEXTURES ALIGNED

-OTHER FIXES!!!

 

I'm really excited to show you this version, it is a BIG step up from what it was before, and playing it is a blast!!!

MAP01VERSION2.rar

 

Spoiler

 

 

Spoiler

 

Spoiler

Spoiler

Note 2: might make my first experience with UDB a MEGAWAD.... I got plans, ideas and a second map already halfway done. It's gonna be sick when its actually done

Edited May 4, 2024 by toastermate
big plans big plans

[LadyMistDragon]

Not too bad. Although I'm quite puzzled as the lack of literally any weapons that aren't the pistol. If there's a shotgun, it should probably be out more in the open, rather than a monster closet with former humans I think I glossed over.

 

 

[ByRntStarOEI]

Hiya, played your map and figured I would give some input. I'm relatively new to mapping myself, so I feel a bit out of place giving advice to a newly released wad, but I have been playing doom for a good while, so perhaps my feedback could be of some use to you. I would say this is a good effort for your very first wad. Exploring the features of the wad builder is a good first step (At least that's how I started, too) and I can see you are doing that in your map. There are some minor mistakes, however, which I tried to point out in the two demos I've included below, but a believe you're off to a good start.

 

The first demo I've included is of me completing your map pretty quickly and without even attacking anything. I didn't do this to show off, rather to show how a player can easily avoid/skip monster encounters if not set up appropriately.   Good monster encounters and balance is, what I believe, the most difficult thing about making a doom map. Too easy, players will find the map boring. Too hard, players will get frustrated.  Everyone has different taste, as well, so it's hard for me to give you solid advice on the matter, but I would say a good start is by making the combat to where you find it challenging but enjoyable for yourself and then experiment/ fine tune it from there.

 

The second demo that I have included is where I point out some minor mishaps. You'll see me punching at stuff to point it out in the demo. Most of these are not deal breakers to me, but may be to others (Like John Romero's rules). Here is a picture to better illustrate since it's easier for me to point out than type it all out:

Spoiler

 

BSDEMOMAP.zip

Edited May 3, 2024 by ByRntStarOEI

[shroomzy5000]

hey friend!  to help you with some of the things mentioned in the comments above, i made this quick video a while back to help new mappers with fully utilizing the validation tool inside of udb to help them find all the missing textures and stuck monsters and stuff before release!  check it out, could be useful!  keeps you from commiting all the 

 

Using Ultimate Doom Builder Map Validation Tool (youtube.com)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBCdJnd2kbw&t=31s

[toastermate]

3 hours ago, LadyMistDragon said:

Not too bad. Although I'm quite puzzled as the lack of literally any weapons that aren't the pistol. If there's a shotgun, it should probably be out more in the open, rather than a monster closet with former humans I think I glossed over.

 

 

Yeah, theres a shotgun behind the three guys in the monster closet, but I don't blame you for missing it. There's also a secret im pretty proud of where immediately to the left of the second door, you can press a switch and the pillar come down revealing another shotgun and a box of shells. But I do understand that they're pretty hidden.

The vision that I had for the final room was that the two spider guys were defending the red keycard, but that backfired because you'd barely even see that it's there. I do have some ideas to communicate that better. (I also forgot to make the elevator a repeatable action, my bad)

 

2 hours ago, ByRntStarOEI said:

Hiya, played your map and figured I would give some input. I'm relatively new to mapping myself, so I feel a bit out of place giving advice to a newly released wad, but I have been playing doom for a good while, so perhaps my feedback could be of some use to you. I would say this is a good effort for your very first wad. Exploring the features of the wad builder is a good first step (At least that's how I started, too) and I can see you are doing that in your map. There are some minor mistakes, however, which I tried to point out in the two demos I've included below, but a believe you're off to a good start.

 

The first demo I've included is of me completing your map pretty quickly and without even attacking anything. I didn't do this to show off, rather to show how a player can easily avoid/skip monster encounters if not set up appropriately.   Good monster encounters and balance is, what I believe, the most difficult thing about making a doom map. Too easy, players will find the map boring. Too hard, players will get frustrated.  Everyone has different taste, as well, so it's hard for me to give you solid advice on the matter, but I would say a good start is by making the combat to where you find it challenging but enjoyable for yourself and then experiment/ fine tune it from there.

 

The second demo that I have included is where I point out some minor mishaps. You'll see me punching at stuff to point it out in the demo. Most of these are not deal breakers to me, but may be to others (Like John Romero's rules). Here is a picture to better illustrate since it's easier for me to point out than type it all out:

  Reveal hidden contents

 

BSDEMOMAP.zip

Unfortunately I wasn't able to figure out how demos work (LOL im ashamed) so I'll go off of your word,

the combat thing is really good advice thank you, I at first wasn't expecting people to rush through the map but take their time with killing all the monsters like I did when I was playing it. These are both two very valid playstyles of course, and I got lost trying to take into account both of them. 

ENEMIES CAN GET STUCK ON EACH OTHER??? I didn't know that at all! Though, they did attack sometimes. 

The texture thing was very honestly because it was getting late and I really wanted to finish the combat, cba to align the textures at the time LOL

 

54 minutes ago, shroomzy5000 said:

hey friend!  to help you with some of the things mentioned in the comments above, i made this quick video a while back to help new mappers with fully utilizing the validation tool inside of udb to help them find all the missing textures and stuck monsters and stuff before release!  check it out, could be useful!  keeps you from commiting all the 

 

Using Ultimate Doom Builder Map Validation Tool (youtube.com)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBCdJnd2kbw&t=31s

Thanks alot! I'll definitely check this video out.

 

Thank all of you for the kind words and advice! I'll make an updated version that fixes some of the mistakes, and also builds upon it a bit.

[Homer_hardware]

I would like to play it but it just says that the archive is in unknown format or damaged. Can this be fixed??

 

[toastermate]

8 minutes ago, Homer_hardware said:

I would like to play it but it just says that the archive is in unknown format or damaged. Can this be fixed??

 

I didn't have any problems with it, just extract the file, and open the WAD with GZDOOM and it should work

[Homer_hardware]

1 minute ago, toastermate said:

I didn't have any problems with it, just extract the file, and open the WAD with GZDOOM and it should work

Maybe my computer is just wrong so sorry that I cannot play it :(

[toastermate]

1 minute ago, Homer_hardware said:

Maybe my computer is just wrong so sorry that I cannot play it :(

No problem man, have a good day :D

 

[Riclo500]

Neat!
 

 

[MisterLivers]

someone's first map I see, cant wait to try it, you have a lot to learn!

[MisterLivers]

I Just played it, I have lots of feedback, first I would like to say, for walls, only use wall textures and for ceilings / floors only uses flats, they look way better, I assume you did this because you used UDMF which has a feature to use wall textures for ceilings and floors, second, if your gonna make a door, make sure there is a ceiling or stairs which will make the door look better so its fitted into its correct space, 128x128 If I'm correct. I do get its your first WAD but I'm just telling you this so you can make your WAD's look better. third, No way in hell I am getting 100% kills. make your kills possible so that they can actually be a goal for the WAD, same goes for items and secrets, and finally, you need to know what textures are what, if you want a switch to open a door that needs a blue key, use the DOORBLU or DOORBLU2 texture's surrounding a switch, same goes for the exit, I dont know why you used a door that cant even be opened but its fine I guess, I recommend using the exit door texture for exits and the exit signs so you know what is what so you dont randomly end a level thinking there is more. 

Edited May 9, 2024 by MisterLivers

[MisterLivers]

also I didn't know I played the first version, ill give the second version a try!

[MisterLivers]

Played the other version, its still almost impossible to get 100% kills, the bigger space is very empty which doesn't look good. the textures are aligned but I highly recommend the tip for flats. There are still a few , I guess you could say "visual bugs" .

Spoiler

Torch texture needs a border texture or same brick texture, and the other screenshot shows unaligned textures.

I would also recommend following John Romero's design rules to make your levels look better. you also said you might do a megawad, let me just say, dont if your new to mapping, heck I only make 6 map WAD's still, I would recommend doing a megawad with more than 1 person.

Edited May 9, 2024 by MisterLivers

[toastermate]

2 hours ago, MisterLivers said:

I Just played it, I have lots of feedback, first I would like to say, for walls, only use wall textures and for ceilings / floors only uses flats, they look way better, I assume you did this because you used UDMF which has a feature to use wall textures for ceilings and floors, second, if your gonna make a door, make sure there is a ceiling or stairs which will make the door look better so its fitted into its correct space, 128x128 If I'm correct. I do get its your first WAD but I'm just telling you this so you can make your WAD's look better. third, No way in hell I am getting 100% kills. make your kills possible so that they can actually be a goal for the WAD, same goes for items and secrets, and finally, you need to know what textures are what, if you want a switch to open a door that needs a blue key, use the DOORBLU or DOORBLU2 texture's surrounding a switch, same goes for the exit, I dont know why you used a door that cant even be opened but its fine I guess, I recommend using the exit door texture for exits and the exit signs so you know what is what so you dont randomly end a level thinking there is more. 

Thank you so much for your feedback! 

I'll keep all the advice for textures in mind, though I don't see how killing all of the enemies is impossible. All that I can think of is the imps on the pillars, but while being a little tedious, it's definitely possible.

 

2 hours ago, MisterLivers said:

Played the other version, its still almost impossible to get 100% kills, the bigger space is very empty which doesn't look good. the textures are aligned but I highly recommend the tip for flats. There are still a few , I guess you could say "visual bugs" .

  Hide contents

Torch texture needs a border texture or same brick texture, and the other screenshot shows unaligned textures.

I would also recommend following John Romero's design rules to make your levels look better. you also said you might do a megawad, let me just say, dont if your new to mapping, heck I only make 6 map WAD's still, I would recommend doing a megawad with more than 1 person.

Yeah good point, MEGAWAD was the wrong way to describe it. What I have in mind right now is a mapset consisting of 14 maps, and I currently have 3 of them done. I can tell you right now that the next two play a lot better. A little gimmick that I had in mind is that I wouldn't go back and fix the older ones, so that you can potentially see improvements the more the wad goes on. I know that's not very practical, considering first impressions and what not, but this is just a little project I'm doing for myself that I plan to share to the internet, nothing more nothing less.

[MisterLivers]

there is no ammo for the spider mastermind, unless I'm forced to punch it then no. 14 maps is still kind of big though.

[JohnKeesler]

On 5/3/2024 at 12:43 AM, toastermate said:

NOTE!!!: the first two screenshots, and the rar called "MAP01", is the older version. The newer version is the 2 new screenshots, and the rar called "MAP01VERSION2". The text under still applies. I am keeping both versions up so that I can see my progress. (If that is allowed)

 

I don't have a name for this yet, but if I had to give it a name it'd be "Father like son", because of the final room.

 

Because this is my first map and I'm kind of just exploring the features of UDB, I tried to implement John Romero's rules as much as possible, and I hope you can see them in here. I tested this with GZDOOM, and if I remember correctly the level is made in Doom II UDMF. I played this level with the ability of freelook, jumping and crouching, but it is not necessary to survive. It is one, 4 minute, MAP01. No more, no less, no other unoriginal scary hidden levels in it (trust me if I could, I would LOL). I don't think it's that hard, the boss can be really tough but once you figure it out it's doable. Pretty tedious honestly, but I don't know how to change the HP. I digress.

 

Anyway, I hope you can have as much fun playing this level as I did making it, and that you can see the visions I had. If there are any criticisms, suggestions or things that I should do more, please let me know! I'm eager to improve my map-making.

 

-ToasterMate

MAP01.rar

 

 

~~~ UPDATED THE WAD!!! ~~~

 

ADDED:

-1 NEW SECRET

-1 NEW AREA

-REVAMPED BOSS

-3 MORE WEAPONS IMPLEMENTED

-TEXTURES ALIGNED

-OTHER FIXES!!!

 

I'm really excited to show you this version, it is a BIG step up from what it was before, and playing it is a blast!!!

MAP01VERSION2.rar

 

  Reveal hidden contents

 

 

  Reveal hidden contents

I watched the YouTube video you shared, I Have not played for a few days, but after watching you, I also want to play.As a fellow student, I understand the struggle of balancing gaming with studying. Although I enjoy reading, I find writing to be a challenge. To address this, I use the services of this https://academized.com/professional-essay-writers website to hire a professional writer to write my essays. This helps me save time and money, allowing me to indulge in gaming. I recommend trying out this website to save time and money as well.

 

  Reveal hidden contents

  Reveal hidden contents

Note 2: might make my first experience with UDB a MEGAWAD.... I got plans, ideas and a second map already halfway done. It's gonna be sick when its actually done

Thanks for sharing it, I will surely try it and I will update you, if I face any issue.

Edit: I am sorry for the late reply, I tried it and I ain't face any issue. Thank you again for sharing it with us :) I love it <3

Edited May 20, 2024 by JohnKeesler